Slice interleaved T1 mapping sequence (STONE) allows quantification of native T1 of the entire ventricle in a single free-breathing scan. Using this sequence, data acquisition for different slices are interleaved, allowing longer recovery time after the inversion pulse, which could result in improved accuracy and precision. However, measurement reproducibility of the STONE sequence has not been previously studied. In this study, we sought to assess native T1 measurement reproducibility a) within session, b) between sessions and c) between days.

Figure 2 shows mean T1 values for different imaging sessions, averaged over all subjects for STONE-SSFP and STONE-GRE. The CVs for all slices and subjects (figure 2) showed low variability for STONE-SSFP (2.4 ± 1.3%) and for STONE-GRE (1.65 ± 0.95%). The CVs for all slices and days showed a mean of 2.1 ± 1.45% for STONE SSFP and a mean of 1.5 ± 1.1% for Stone GRE. The CVs for all slices and sessions showed a mean of 1.7 ± 1.95% for STONE SSFP and a mean of 1.2 ± 1.3% for STONE GRE.

Figure 2

Mean native T1 per repetition, session and day for STONE and coefficient of variation for different slices and subjects.

Native myocardial T1 measurements by STONE-GRE and STONE-SSFP are very reproducible. These data suggest that STONE-SSFP and STONE-GRE should be considered for longitudinal studies to assess potential temporal changes in native T1 values for disease monitoring and/or during therapy.

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